I have a question for those who have good skills in Greek. I don't. In John 1:1 I have been taught that the word "was" ipf (strongs 2258) describes a continuous action in the PAST. In other words, "in the beginning CONTINUALLY WAS the Word, and the Word CONTINUALLY WAS with God, and the Word CONTINUALLY WAS God. But I also see that word "was" (strongs 2258) used in a number of other places that can't mean CONTINUALLY WAS in the PAST. See Acts 1:10,13,14,15 and 17 to name a few. Is there a connection with another verb or noun in John 1:1 that identifies this word "was" different than the way the word is used elsewhere in the scriptures?

Thanks, a new member to the board. I hope I have asked this question in the right place. In Christ, Roger

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Rogerant
Justified Sinner
Under Application to URCNA
Saskatchewan

Roger,

Eimi is a unique verb in that it does not have an aorist tense (the simple past) -- in fact, it only has the present and future systems; thus, any past action is expressed with the imperfect. The verb in this context surely can't mean anything such as "started to be God," or "started to be with God," which, typical of NT Greek would probably be expressed by "egeneto" or some other word.

Also, Welcome to the board!

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Paul Korte
OPC
Flint, MI

They who perceive in themselves discoveries of the divine goodness, so full and absolutely perfect, and who make them the subject of earnest meditation, will never embrace new doctrines, by which the very grace they feel so powerfully in themselves is thrown into the shade. --John Calvin

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Yeah to PB

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Martin - Reformed
Husband to the most godly, honorable and loyal wife Line
Searching for a Church
Webpage www.5solas.dk
Free Online Reformed Seminary - http://www.tnars.net
Soli Deo Gloria

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sarah
WI
OPC
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to the PB!

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Toni Cunningham, Wife of Bill (Theognome)
Parkwoods OPC, Overland Park KS

"Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, As, to be hated, needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace." ~ Alexander Pope

Welcome!!

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Amber
South Woods Baptist Church http://southwoodsbc.org/
wife of Tyler; mother of Ashley, Nathaniel, Isaac, Jeremiah
O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God. Psalm 43:3

Also in french the impefect tense is used to show a continuation to the present or a basic description of a scenario. So even if there was a simple past tense for it the usage of it in french would signify that Jesus was the lord as opposed to describe a state of being.

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J. P. Grigoletti II * Lay-man * Église Réformée du Québec
Québec, Québec Canada * Member: Église Reformée St. Marc
http://Grigoletti.blogspot.com - blog
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